Patricia Patkau is a partner in the firm of Patkau Architects in Vancouver, British Columbia. For more than 30 years her firm has insisted on a practice that integrates architectural, urban, social, environmental, and cultural concerns. Her work focuses on the intricacies of local cultures, the specificities of places, and the material imaginations of construction—implemented on a variety of scales. In 2009, in conjunction with her partner, John Patkau, she received the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada’s Gold Medal, and, among other honors, represented Canada at the 1996 Venice Biennale international art exhibition.

A leader in educating artists, designers, and scholars since 1866, the School of the Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC) offers nationally accredited undergraduate and graduate degrees and post-baccalaureate programs to 3,200 students from around the globe. Located in the heart of Chicago, SAIC has an educational philosophy built upon an interdisciplinary approach to art and design, giving students unparalleled opportunities to develop their creative and critical abilities, while working with faculty who are the leading practitioners in their fields.